It sounds delicious, don’t you think?! Can you believe it is good for you too? My Luscious Banana Breakfast Pudding is filled with calcium, Omega 3 fatty acids, and fiber so you can enjoy it guilt free!

With a tiny bit of prep work before bed, literally about 3 minutes, you can whip this tasty breakfast up in minutes when you get up.

The newest cocktail body polish from FarmHouse Fresh is brimming with mouthwatering pear-infused brandy from Bartlett pears grown in California.

The scent is ripe, sweet and succulent! It takes 1 pound of pears, crushed and fermented, to help distill the brandy in each jar of Brandy Pear Body Polish. This scrub also includes fine grain sea salt and rice bran oil – so not only are you left fragrant, but extremely soft with a glistening finish on your skin.

Perfect dry skin relief for these tough Central New York days! Now in stock at `a la Maison in our Baldwinsville store.

Many people start the New Year out with a resolution to eat healthier. You may start by cleaning out your pantry and replacing unhealthy oils and staples with smarter, healthier options. Definitely a great place to begin.

While you are building your healthy kitchen, don’t forget to look at your cookware. What you are using to cook your food with can be as important as what goes in the pan. Nonstick cookware seems like a healthy option, but if it is older and showing signs of wear – scratches, chips in the nonstick finish, etc. – it is time to toss it out. The last thing you want to add to your healthy recipe are toxins from your cookware.

Kickoff the New Year by replacing old, overused pans and cookware with healthier options. I know that a nonstick pan is a joy to work and a breeze to clean, but there are several nonstick, easy-to-clean options that won’t add chemicals/toxins to your food:

Chasseur’s line of high quality enameled cookware, an amazing cookware line from France, has stood the test of time. The special enamel coating creates a strong seal and prevents corrosion. This cast-iron line is the perfect choice for slow braising and simmering due to its ability to retain and distribute heat evenly.

Chasseur cookware is suitable for all types of heat sources, including induction. It’s easy to clean with some hot soapy water and a gentle soak to release baked on food. Do not use abrasive scrubs on this fine cookware. You’ll find a selection beautifully enameled black and white Chasseur Cookware at `a la Maison in Baldwinsville.

The Chasseur Dutch Oven is not only beautiful; but a powerhouse in the kitchen. You can depend upon it for superior slow braising and simmering. A perfect choice for soups; sauces; and braised meats.

A Cast-Iron Grill Pan is ideal for indoor grilling (a must if you live in Central New York!) The heavy, grooved surface retains heat and guarantees beautiful results. It is important to season your grill before using. After a few uses, your nicely seasoned pan will become your best friend!

Grandma knew best… I remember my Grandmother always reaching for her old Cast-Iron skillet for everything from frying chicken to cooking eggs and sausage to making cornbread. The Cast-Iron skillet was a work horse in the kitchen of yesteryears, and it’s time to bring it back! Truly the original non-stick cookware, the Cast-Iron skillet is great for even heating… and no toxic coating… Yeah!

I got my first pre-seasoned Cast-Iron skillet a few years ago, and quite frankly, the first time I used it – I was not totally impressed. Just because it says pre-seasoned doesn’t mean it’s totally non-stick to start. I found that the more I used it; the better the seasoning got – it actually builds up over time. Now I love it – It’s super easy to clean, just scrub with hot water. Please don’t use soaps or cleansers on these beauties! (Think of it like your pizza stone… no soap… just gently scrape and wipe clean with hot water… dry immediately. Before you know it, you’ll have your favorite non-stick frying pan – again, free of toxic coatings.

Ceramic Coating Commercial Grade Aluminum Cookware

Another fantastic cookware option is Ceramic Coated cookware. Ceramic Coated cookware is non-toxic and non-reactive, which eliminates the release of chemicals, toxins and gases into both your food and the atmosphere. Ceramic is energy efficient, as it retains heat well so you can cook on a lower temperature. It’s economical as the ceramic coating will never wear off when used properly.

Investing in good quality cookware is an investment in the health of you and your family. When properly care for, these pans can last a lifetime. Actually, longer than a lifetime, as you will probably be able to hand that cast-iron skillet down to your children!

Find all these great cookware options at `a la Maison in Baldwinsville. For more information call 315-440-6637.